Kawempe to face CBE again as Cecafa semis take shape

Kawempe Muslim must beat regional powerhouse Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) for a second time in Kigali, Rwanda if they are to reach their first-ever Caf Women’s Champions League Cecafa Qualifiers final.

The semi-final line-up was confirmed on Wednesday evening after Kenya Police Bullets defeated Burundi’s Top Girls Academy 3-1 at Kigali Pelé Stadium to leapfrog Tanzania’s Simba Queens and top Group C, joining South Sudan’s Yei Joint Stars and Kawempe as group winners.

The Valley Warriors booked their semi-final slot by beating CBE 1-0 in their opener on Monday courtesy of an 11th-minute penalty from Agnes Nabukenya.

Kawempe then showed more intent on Wednesday with an 8-0 demolition of Djibouti’s UJECO.

An own goal by Nesima Elemo in the 14th minute opened the floodgates against before braces from Jovia Nakagolo and Latifah Nakasi and strikes from Samalie Nakacwa, Nabukenya, and new signing Cecilia Apiding an expected victory.

Coach Ayub Khalifa made four changes to the side that faced CBE – with goalkeeper Josephine Nambuya, defender Ritah Mushimire, midfielders Dorcus Kisakye and Shakirah Nyinagahirwa starting ahead of Saidah Namwanje, Sharifah Nakimera, Krusum Namutebi, and Anitah Namata respectively – yet Kawempe remained in total control.

“The game was very good. As the team and technical staff, we have already shifted our focus and preparations to the semi-final to ensure we win that match,” captain Nyinagahirwa said in her first competitive start in a long while.

Khalifa was equally pleased with his side’s execution: “The players played exactly the way we wanted. We needed the win, and tactically, they delivered a very good performance. We have qualified with maximum points, and our single focus now is reaching this year’s final.”

However, the task ahead grows steeper.

Group A featured four teams while Groups B and C had three. Tournament regulations dictated that results against Group A’s fourth-placed side (Eritrea’s Denden) were discounted to rank the runners-up. This left CBE on three points with a +10 goal difference, edging out hosts Rayon Sports (two points) to advance as the best second-placed team.

With the top sides of Group A and C facing each other, Kawempe are left to re-play CBE.

CBE ejected Kawempe in the semis to triumph in Ethiopia in 2024 and there was also barely anything in their meeting on Monday to suggest the semi will be an easy game for either side.

Kawempe’s targeted press choked CBE’s possession-hogging midfield. But CBE, who matched Kawempe’s physicality will undoubtedly adjust their strategy as they seek redemption.

A dream final remains on the line for Kawempe, but they must first bypass one of the most experienced sides in the region to get there.

Caf Women’s Champions League Cecafa Qualifiers

Semi-finals – Saturday, Kigali Pelé Stadium

Kawempe Muslim (Uganda) vs. CBE (Ethiopia), 2pm

Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan) vs Kenya Police Bullets, 5pm

Group Results

Group A

Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan) 3-0 Denden (Eritrea)

Rayon Sports (Rwanda) 0-0 Mafunzo (Zanzibar)

Denden 0-3 Rayon Sports

Mafunzo 0-1 Yei Joint Stars

Tuesday: Mafunzo 9-0 Denden, 1pm

Rayon Sport 1-1 Yei Joint Stars, 3pm

Group B

CBE (Ethiopia) 11-0 UJECO (Djibouti)

Kawempe Muslim 1-0 CBE

Wednesday: Ujeco 0-8 Kawempe Muslim

Group C

Simba Queens (Tanzania) 2-0 Top Girls Academy (Burundi)

Kenya Police Bullets 2-1 Simba Queens

Wednesday: Top Girls 1-3 Kenya Police Bullets

Badejo-Okusanya vows crackdown on abusive lawyers, promises independent NBA

Newly sworn-in Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), has vowed to take decisive action against lawyers who use abusive and insulting language against colleagues on social media.

Badejo-Okusanya, who was sworn in as the 33rd president of the NBA, said her administration would have ‘scant tolerance’ for professional misconduct, particularly the use of offensive language by lawyers in political disputes.

She spoke in her inaugural address after taking over the association’s leadership from Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN).

The new NBA president said lawyers found guilty of making abusive or insulting posts against colleagues would face public proceedings, stressing that such conduct damaged the profession’s reputation.

‘Such lawyers will be subjected to public proceedings for bringing us all into disrepute in the eyes of the public, who look up to us and are increasingly aghast, as all right-thinking colleagues are, at the type of language that lawyers employ on social media against other colleagues, all in the name of politics.

‘So, we’re coming after you.’

Badejo-Okusanya also pledged that her administration would defend judicial independence while speaking out against delays, conflicting judgments, corruption and other practices capable of undermining public confidence in the justice system.

She said respect for the judiciary did not require the NBA to remain silent about its shortcomings.

She said: ‘We will support the Bench while insisting on the integrity and efficiency of the justice system.

‘We will defend judicial independence, but we will not be indifferent to delay, conflicting decisions, corruption, or conduct that diminishes public confidence. Respect for institutions does not require silence about their shortcomings. True respect requires the courage to help them.’

The NBA president promised to engage government constructively but warned that the association would not become an instrument of any administration, political party, region, religion, interest group or individual.

She said the NBA’s loyalty would remain with the Constitution, justice, the rule of law and its members.

‘We will collaborate where collaboration advances the public good. We will challenge where challenge becomes necessary. And above all, we will act with facts, fairness, discipline, and boldness,’ she said.

Badejo-Okusanya also promised continuity in NBA leadership, saying she would retain and build on initiatives that worked while repairing those that did not.

She said she had studied the manifestos of her co-contestants and identified ideas worthy of implementation.

‘Where we adopt them, I will not hesitate to acknowledge their source, and give credit where it’s due,’ she said.

According to her, the NBA was bigger than individual leaders and its progress must be cumulative and sustained.

She described the association as the largest body of legal professionals in Africa, saying its branches, sections, fora and committees possessed the knowledge, influence, creativity and courage needed to transform the profession and the country.

She pledged to work towards a bar where young lawyers across Nigeria could access quality learning and professional opportunities, members could receive prompt responses to their concerns, branches were empowered, appointments were transparent and technology worked effectively.

She also promised stronger consequences for professional misconduct and said every lawyer should be able to see tangible value in belonging to the NBA.

2027 NBA conference to hold in Abuja

Badejo-Okusanya announced that the 2027 Annual General Conference of the NBA would be held in Abuja.

She said preparations for the conference would begin immediately, with further details, including the theme and constitution of the Annual General Conference Planning Committee, to be announced later.

‘The work starts now. We will gather there not merely for another conference, but to take stock of our progress, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our bonds, and prepare us all for the future of legal practice,’ she said.

The new NBA president also called on members to hold her administration accountable, saying she knew lawyers had heard promises from previous administrations that were not always fulfilled.

She said, ‘I don’t ask you for blind faith. I ask you to hold us to account.’

‘Our administration will consolidate what works, repair what doesn’t, and build what the future demands.’

Badejo-Okusanya, who said she entered the legal profession in 2002, described her emergence as president as the latest stage in the passing of the leadership baton.

She said she assumed office with gratitude to previous leaders and a determination to serve faithfully.

She said, ‘When our tenure ends, may it not be said merely that a woman became president. May it be said that the bar became better; that lawyers became protected and empowered.

‘May it be said that we restored faith in what collective professional leadership can achieve. May it be said that we helped our members earn better, live better, and practice better.

‘May it be said that we put members first and we delivered. May it be said that we left the association stronger than we met it.’

She ended her address with a call for collective action, declaring: ‘The time for action is now. The work begins today. Let us build it together.’

Fashola: What Nigeria must do to tackle insecurity

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has called for a radical and comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that the country must restore respect for law and order, strengthen law enforcement institutions and address the social values influencing citizens’ behaviour.

Fashola spoke while delivering the keynote address at the 12th Triennial National Conference of Jama’at-ul Islamiyya of Nigeria, held at the organisation’s mosque in Magodo, Lagos.

The conference, themed ‘Nigeria’s Political Adventure, Insecurity and Need for More Radical Approach to Stability,’ brought together Islamic scholars, members of the organisation’s leadership, women and youth leaders, as well as other stakeholders.

The conference also witnessed the launch of the Jama’at-ul Islamiyya Centenary School Project, aimed at strengthening the organisation’s schools and promoting quality education grounded in Islamic values.

Fashola said insecurity could not be solved simply by deploying more security personnel.

According to him, Nigeria must address the institutional, social and behavioural factors that continue to undermine stability.

He identified the restoration of law and order as the first major step towards achieving lasting security, urging Nigerians to embrace the principle that nobody should be above the law, regardless of political affiliation, religion or ethnicity.

He questioned the values being transmitted to younger generations, particularly attitudes towards law enforcement and obedience to legitimate authority.

He urged citizens to ‘reset’ their mindset and develop greater respect for law and order.

The former governor also noted that misconduct by security personnel could damage public confidence in government because a uniform represents the authority of the state.

He therefore stressed that both security agencies and citizens had responsibilities in building an orderly society.

Fashola explained that government faced an enormous challenge in protecting citizens because it was expected to succeed almost all the time, while criminals needed only one opportunity to cause significant harm.

He said the imbalance demonstrated why government must remain effective in preventing, detecting and responding to crime.

He also identified drug abuse and youth idleness as major factors requiring urgent attention. He called for stronger preventive measures against substance abuse and greater investment in programmes that would engage young Nigerians productively.

Fashola cited the National Youth Sports Festival as an example of an initiative capable of bringing large numbers of young people together for constructive activities.

He argued that leaving hundreds of thousands of young Nigerians without meaningful engagement could create conditions that make them vulnerable to crime and other social problems.

On the proposed establishment of state police, Fashola said the idea should be viewed as an opportunity to build a new professional cadre within the public sector rather than merely increase the number of security personnel.

He advocated proper recruitment, training and professional development for officers who would serve in state police formations. According to him, policing should be treated as a professional career, just as Nigeria has developed professional cadres in engineering and medicine.

Earlier, the President of Jama’at-ul Islamiyya of Nigeria, Engr. Hashim Oyekan, described the conference as timely, given Nigeria’s security and socio-political challenges.

He stressed that stability could not be achieved through rhetoric alone but required justice, practical solutions and collective responsibility.

Oyekan said education remained a powerful instrument for social transformation and appealed to members, donors and guests to support the project as an investment in future generations.

The gathering also marked a leadership transition within Jama’at-ul Islamiyya of Nigeria.

Oyekan described leadership as an Amanah, or sacred trust, and expressed appreciation to members, scholars and the Executive Council for their support during his tenure.

He prayed for wisdom, strength and guidance for the incoming leadership as it takes the organisation forward.

Fragmented solutions that clog good systems

During the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) rolled out the Teachers Effectiveness and Learner Achievement (TELA) tool, a biometric school attendance system that was intended to end, or at least significantly reduce, the rampant cases of teachers’ absenteeism.

Contrary to its initial roll-out target that reached more than 14,000 government-aided primary and secondary schools, the 2023/2024 Auditor General’s report found that the tool was significantly underutilised, with an active usage rate of only 32 percent across the schools that were inspected.

This not only captures an underperformance of a system, but also evidently points to a wide range of malfunctioning and system failures across several well-intended, ambitious and well-funded digital solutions that are not aligned in function, but also not operating to their optimal expectation.

Over the past decades, the MoES has built at least six separate information systems: the Education Management Information System (EMIS) as the backbone holding institution profiles; learner records tied to a Learner Identification Number linked to each learner’s National ID; and staff data, the Teacher Management Information System (TMIS), which handles recruitment, deployment and payroll verification; TELA, a biometric attendance tool for teacher attendance; and a separate management system for technical and vocational institutions (TVET MIS); IIS, a school inspection tool; and ULEARN, a self-paced e-learning platform for teachers and teacher educators.

Each of these were funded and custom built to satisfy the deliverables of a specific funding requirement rather than as a shared MoES information need and architecture.This is explicitly named in the ministry’s newly launched Digital Agenda Strategy (2025-2032) as a problem that must be fixed with a pledge to ‘streamline, review, rationalise and harmonise’ what it calls ‘fragmented ICT initiatives’.

The most visible consequences of this fragmentation is demonstrated by tracking teacher’s attendance records through TELA.Every morning, a teacher checks in; that record is expected to flow onward into TMIS where it should facilitate payroll verification or disciplinary review. This in turn should feed into the EMIS to consolidate the national staffing and teaching load data.

The practice is contrary, with no clear trail describing the linkages and interdependence of the three systems – even where TELA is implemented, flagging a teacher absence is largely dependent on manual follow-up and verification instead of a system-triggered relay.This has clogged the information loops in the sector, dragging key decisions, interventions and compliance reviews that has stagnated rather than enhance efficiency.

A parallel draw from a smaller pilot demonstrates what functioning data systems can deliver in a school system, and by extension the education sector.

Under the GPE-backed KIX-SEEDS initiative, researchers and district officials have adapted DHIS2, a platform originally built for health-sector data, for use in schools across Gulu, Entebbe and Ntungamo.More than 200 teachers and education officials have been trained to use the system.

Despite its dismal scope, the head teachers involved describe it as providing a shift from decisions made largely by guesswork to evidence based, given the preciseness of the numbers from recruitment, to teacher performance, school feeding programmes, learner activities and additional support required for learners with special needs.

Despite the audacious position of the MoES to consolidate fragmented data and systems to facilitate planning, resource allocation and investment planning, the real test of commitment should be seen in the courage to quench the appetite for multiple and uncoordinated information systems to address the structural and institutional challenges within the Education sector by government and the key stakeholders

Umahi orders CCECC to repair damaged sections of Benin-Asaba road within 14 days

Motorists and commuters using the Asaba-Benin Expressway can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has given the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) 14 days to immediately repair the damaged sections of the road in Delta State.

Umahi issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection of the Asaba axis of the access road to the Second Niger Bridge, expressing concern over the condition of some sections, particularly the Ubulu-Okiti and Onicha-Ugbo sections, as well as the hardship being experienced by motorists.

He warned that the Federal Government would not allow motorists to continue suffering because of ongoing construction activities.

The minister specifically directed CCECC to rehabilitate service lanes leading to the Second Niger Bridge access road where asphalt had been removed, insisting that construction activities must not be carried out at the expense of the welfare of Nigerians.

He said: ‘I am giving you 14 days to fix the access, the service lane you removed the asphalt. You have to fix it immediately, whether you are paid or not. It is my right to insist that you fix it to lessen the problem of the people.’

Umahi also directed CCECC to urgently intervene on sections between Chainage 103 and 105, as well as Chainage 106 and 107, which he said were in poor condition and affecting the movement of construction materials and motorists.

According to him, the affected sections, covering about four kilometres of dual carriageway, should be repaired under an emergency arrangement to ease the suffering of road users.

The minister said the Federal Ministry of Works had the capacity to repair the affected sections of the Benin-Asaba road within 14 days but was constrained by the existing concession agreement governing the road.

He explained that the Federal Government had written to the concessionaire over its failure to adequately maintain certain sections of the road, adding that the government had been cautious about directly intervening because of provisions contained in the concession agreement.

Umahi, however, said the government could no longer allow Nigerians to suffer indefinitely, noting that some motorists had spent several hours and, in some cases, days stranded on the road.

He also criticised the manner in which some portions of the road had been handled by the concessionaire, saying asphalt removed from sections between kilometre eight and kilometre 15 had not been properly restored.

The minister said some newly laid asphalt had reportedly failed within 24 hours, describing the development as evidence of poor workmanship and inadequate knowledge of road construction.

He said the Federal Government would continue to explore lawful ways of intervening where necessary to protect road users and safeguard economic activities in Delta, Edo and Nigeria.

Second Niger Bridge Access Road

On the Second Niger Bridge access project, Umahi said the Federal Government was committed to completing the project to ensure that the huge investment in the bridge was not undermined by inadequate access infrastructure.

He explained that the Second Niger Bridge was particularly important given the age and vulnerability of the First Niger Bridge, which, according to him, had been in service for more than six decades.

‘The essence is to use that Second Niger Bridge. Because if the First Niger Bridge collapses, the beautiful job on the Second Niger Bridge will be rendered useless,’ he said.

Umahi said the access road project was awarded to CCECC at a cost of about N148 billion and involved the construction of flyovers, bridges, culverts and rigid pavements.

He disclosed that the contractor had completed about 4.47 kilometres of the dual carriageway, representing approximately 26.7 per cent completion, while significant work had also been carried out on retaining walls, culverts and other structures.

The minister said although funding under the NNPC tax-credit arrangement had stopped, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved an alternative funding arrangement to ensure that the project did not stop.

He therefore urged CCECC to continue with the work, assuring the contractor that it would be paid.

‘I encourage you to please go ahead; you will be paid. Please go ahead, you will be paid,’ Umahi said, stressing that abandoning completed structures could expose them to erosion and ultimately increase the cost to the government.

He commended CCECC for the quality and pace of work on the project, describing its performance as impressive despite the funding constraints.

Earlier, the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commended Umahi for personally inspecting the troubled sections of the road.

Aniagwu said the condition of the federal road from Benin through Asaba to the Niger Bridge and from Benin-Warri had become a major concern to Nigerians, noting that the minister’s intervention demonstrated that the Federal Government was listening to the complaints of road users.

He said the Delta State Government had also intervened in some areas along the corridor, including the construction of a flyover around Chainage 64 to 65, while expressing hope that contractors handling other sections would accelerate their work ahead of the Yuletide.

Aniagwu said the completion of the ongoing projects would ease traffic congestion, improve movement between Delta and Edo states, and boost economic activities along the corridor.

The Director of Highways, Bridges and Design at the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Saidu Musa, said the Second Niger Bridge access project was awarded in March 2025 at a cost of N148 billion.

Musa said about 4.4 kilometres of dual carriageway had so far been executed, while work was progressing on retaining walls, culverts and other sections of the project.

He commended CCECC for the quality of work achieved so far, saying progress would have been significantly higher if the contractor had received adequate funding.

Customs intercepts consignment of endangered wildlife, arrests 3 in Kano

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted a consignment of endangered wildlife and arrested three suspects along the Kano/Daura Road.

The consignment contained chimpanzees, baby gorillas and caracal wild cats.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the command, CSC Tahir Balarabe, the operation followed credible intelligence and was conducted under Section 55(1)(i) of the NCS Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Assistant Comptroller Muhammad Zanna, Acting Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, said the suspects allegedly attempted to bribe the officers but their efforts were rebuffed.

‘Our patrol team intercepted the endangered wildlife and apprehended three suspects. Commendably, our officers resisted multiple attempts at bribery. This gallant effort has disrupted the supply chain and will help reduce trafficking of endangered species,’ Zanna stated.

He said a physical examination of the consignment revealed four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven patas monkeys, two galagos (bush babies), one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard wild birds.

Zanna said the suspects and the intercepted animals had been handed over to the Special Wildlife Office of the NCS Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

He commended Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their support, while reiterating the command’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking.

‘We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to disrupt this illegal trade that undermines biodiversity,’ he added.

Kaliisa wins inaugural Smoke vs Steel in Jinja

Richard Kaliisa emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural Smoke vs Steel motorsport event, combining a strong gymkhana performance with an unbeaten run in the drag races at Banana Resort Beach Track in Jinja.

The three-day motorsport spectacle, held from August 21-23, 2026, brought together drivers competing across two disciplines – gymkhana/time trial and quarter-mile drag racing – in a weekend that tested both precision and outright speed.

The event opened on Friday with registration and mandatory safety checks for participating cars and drivers. A total of 35 drivers registered for the competition, setting the stage for a weekend of high-speed action.

Saturday’s programme focused on gymkhana and time-trial competition, where drivers were required to balance speed with accuracy and car control. Kaliisa collected valuable championship points from the discipline, finishing as second runner-up and keeping himself firmly in contention for the overall crown.

It was on Sunday, however, that the driver and his BMW M8 Competition came into their own.

Kaliisa was undefeated in the quarter-mile drag races, producing the kind of straight-line pace that would ultimately prove decisive in the overall standings.

His combination of points from the gymkhana and dominance in the drag competition lifted him to the top of the event classification.

“The victory was not only about taking the inaugural overall honours but also about putting on a show for the fans who turned up to witness the action. I promise my supporters even more excitement when the drivers return for the next edition,” a jubilant Kaliisa said.

The overall victory underlined the importance of versatility in motorsport. While drag racing rewards acceleration, launch performance and the ability to maintain speed over a short distance, gymkhana demands precision, braking control, quick changes of direction and consistency.

Kaliisa’s ability to score strongly in both disciplines gave him the edge over his rivals.

The Smoke vs Steel event also marked an important development for Ugandan motorsport, with the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) subsequently adding the event to its calendar.

The move gives Smoke vs Steel a place within the country’s organised motorsport programme and provides a platform for competitors to continue testing themselves across different forms of competition.

With his BMW M8 Competition proving capable of both precision work and explosive quarter-mile performance, Kaliisa leaves Jinja as the first overall winner of Smoke vs Steel – and one of the drivers to watch as the event establishes itself on Uganda’s motorsport calendar.

Subsidy: Atiku wants to draw Nigeria backward, says Osoba

All Progressives Congress (APC) elder Aremo Olusegun Osoba has chided former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for planning to drag Nigeria backward through his call for the reversal of the fuel subsidy removal.

He said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate is planning to wipe away the gains of the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Osoba, who spoke with reporters after attending the 80th birthday of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Secretary at the Ikate Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos, said Atiku made a thoughtless proposal

He said the former vice president is closing his eyes to the surge in revenue accruing from the removal, stressing that the reversal of the policy would deprive state and local governments of improved funding for development.

Opadokun, who spoke on the state of the nation, wondered why Atiku, who promised to remove fuel subsidy in 2023, is calling for the reversal of the policy, three years after President Tinubu started its implementation.

However, he urged to government to halt the growing poverty in the country.

Opadokun said corruption is still a challenge, urging the president to tackle the challenge.

Woman docked over alleged N8m fraud

A 47-year-old woman, Mercy Nwabueze, was docked on Thursday in a Kaduna Magistrate’s Court for alleged N8 million fraud.

Nwabueze is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 22, alongside one other person still at large.

He alleged that the defendant deceived the complainants, Francis Dogo and Felicia Williams, into paying the sum on the promise of supplying bags of rice and palm oil which was never delivered.

According to him, the defendant absconded with the money and never supplied the goods.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

The Defense Counsel, E. T. Godwin, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court that the defendant would not jump bail or interfere with the trial. NAN

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel ordered that the sureties must present evidence of three years tax payment to the state government.

He adjourned the case until Sept. 22 for hearing.(NAN)

Parliament gives Jinja land office three months to clear backlog

The Parliamentary Committee on Land has given the Jinja Ministry Zonal Office (MZO) three months to clear thousands of pending land transactions, citing unacceptable delays in processing applications.

The committee, chaired by Ntoroko MP Edson Rugumayo and deputised by Jinja District Woman MP Peace Tibyaze, issued the deadline on Thursday during a visit to the land office.

The directive comes amid staffing and inafrastructure shortages that have left the office with only 14 staff against an approved establishment of 25.

The office, which serves 11 districts and Jinja City, has 12,748 registered transactions, including 6,531 applications for conversion of customary land to freehold.

Other pending applications include 570 transfers, 460 subdivisions, 377 caveats, 355 mortgages, 348 title rectifications, 226 valuations, 206 cadastral maintenance cases and 197 resurveys.

Jinja Registrar of Titles Jamirah Lunkuse said some applications have remained pending for years because several stages of registration still require physical handling, including retrieval of legacy files, verification of original documents and signing of transfer instruments.

‘Some transactions have lasted five, six, even 10 years and remain at the initial stage of generating instructions to survey,’ staff surveyor Daniel Francis Wagoli said.

He said some clients abandoned applications started under the former manual system after the introduction of digital registration, while others filed new applications after failing to trace their old files.

The Uganda National Land Information System (UgNLIS), however, has improved the security and speed of land transactions by integrating with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) systems.

Ms Lunkuse said the integration has reduced impersonation and falsification of payment receipts.

‘Registration has been made easy, transparent, secure, speedy and easily accessible,’ she said.

But the office continues to face unreliable internet and electricity, inadequate ICT and survey equipment and poor management of old land records.

Ms Lunkuse said outdated titles, deeds, cadastral maps and historical ownership records contain inconsistencies that can delay registration and contribute to disputes.

‘Poorly maintained survey information can result in overlapping interests on the same piece of land,’ she said.

The office has detected two forged titles. One involving Block 3 Plot 600 was handed to police, while another involving LRV 153 Folio 14 is before court.

Ms Lunkuse said disputes are handled through boundary surveys, site visits and ownership verification, while proprietors are advised to conduct resurveys where there is evidence of boundary shifts.

The digital mapping system is also being used to identify environmentally sensitive areas and prevent land titles from being plotted in protected areas.

Ms Lunkuse said wetlands and forests in Busoga remain under pressure from cultivation, settlement, industrial development, brick making, sand mining, charcoal burning and timber harvesting.

She called for better ICT infrastructure, regular staff training, improved records management and stronger induction of Area Land Committees and District Land Boards.

Principal Assistant Secretary Beatrice Adong Oling said the office has 11 vacant positions, including senior land officer, senior registrar of titles, senior IT officer, records officer, senior assistant accountant, secretary, receptionist and driver.

‘We have a staffing gap, outdated ICT equipment and inadequate field equipment, which affect our operations,’ Ms Adong said.

She said the office also needs a biometric machine, modern ICT and survey equipment, additional strong-room shelves, a field vehicle and renovation of its premises.

Despite the challenges, the office collected Shs459.1 million in tax and non-tax revenue in the 2025/26 financial year, down from Shs1.58 billion in 2024/25 and Shs2.1 billion in 2023/24.

Officials attributed the decline partly to fewer chargeable transactions under the Systematic Land Adjudication and Certification (SLAAC) programme, under which some titles are issued free of charge.

The Jinja MZO has a target of issuing 80,000 titles across Busoga and had delivered 34,613 titles to seven districts by August.

Kamuli had received 16,735 titles, followed by Luuka with 9,203, Mayuge with 4,048 and Namutumba with 3,275.

Jinja District had received 1,332 titles and Buyende 50, while Jinja City had received none, although 89 titles were awaiting collection at the MZO.

The office is also expected to print 44,124 Certificates of Customary Ownership for Kamuli and Buyende under a Cordaid-supported programme.

Officials said the expansion of digital land registration alone would not eliminate delays without adequate staffing, infrastructure and updated records.

The parliamentary committee’s three-month deadline now puts the office under pressure to address the backlog while improving the reliability of land registration services across the region.